Oilers at Red Wings
THE STORY: The Edmonton Oilers ran into a hot Boston Bruins team Thursday, and it cost them dearly. They have face the same fate Friday as they take on the surging Red Wings in Detroit. A night after dropping a 6-3 decision to the defending Stanley Cup champions - now winners of four in a row - Edmonton must do battle with a Red Wings club that has outscored its opponent 10-2 during a two-game winning streak. Nikolai Khabibulin will be back in goal for the Oilers after getting Thursday off. He has allowed just nine goals in nine games this season, and has yet to lose in regulation. He will likely have his hands full as Detroit resumes its six-game homestand, having gone 2-1-1 so far. Maintaining some momentum will be critical for the Red Wings, who host Dallas on Saturday before embarking on a four-game road swing that will take them to St. Louis and California.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet East, Fox Sports Detroit
ABOUT THE OILERS (9-4-2): Edmonton was uncharacteristically sloppy in its own end Thursday in Boston, and it resulted in their worst defensive effort of the young season. The lone bright spot in the one-sided loss was a two-goal effort by Ryan Smyth, who has shown flashes of the offensive chops he had during his first go-round with the club. The 35-year-old now has seven goals in his last six games and leads the club with nine overall.
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (7-5-1): While Friday represents the Oilers' third game in four nights - all away from Edmonton - the Red Wings have played just once in the past five days. That bout of rest can only help a club that has no major injuries to speak of as it looks to overcome a sluggish start to the season. Johan Franzen has been the catalyst for the club's recent success, scoring four goals and adding a pair of assists in his last two games.
OVERTIME:
1. Detroit swept the four-game head-to-head series last season, outscoring the woeful Oilers 16-7 in the process. The Red Wings have won the last five meetings overall.
2. Franzen has had his share of problems generating any offense against Edmonton, registering just four goals and five assists in 21 career games.
3. Oilers No. 1 pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored his seventh goal of the year in Thursday's loss. Last year's top draftee, teammate Taylor Hall, didn't score goal No. 7 until Dec. 2.